Once I noticed Surprise Lady in 2017, my son was about 14 months outdated. It was the primary time I had gone out with a pal since he had been born. For sure, it was fan-freaking-tastic: each the film and the three or so hours I used to be out with my pal. We noticed the film after which went to the bookstore and obtained espresso and talked.
I began studying comics after my son was born (I’ve written about that right here), and Surprise Lady was one of many ones I learn religiously. By the point the film got here out, I used to be well-versed in her comedian historical past, completely different runs, her origin tales, and my opinions on artwork and storyline. Once I noticed the film, it was simply what I wanted at that second in time.
The primary two years or so of motherhood have been very, very onerous for me. I used to be a single mom, and although I knew going into it that it might be onerous, it was 1,000,000 occasions more durable than I anticipated. My son didn’t sleep—I didn’t get greater than three steady hours of sleep for practically three years. He had some developmental delays and language points, which made childcare not an possibility, and he required numerous physician’s appointments. At one level, he had six remedy periods every week by means of Early Intervention. By all of it, I labored full-time after which some. Studying and watching Surprise Lady have been escapes. Seeing Diana stroll throughout that battlefield along with her protect, deflecting the bullets along with her wristbands, that look on her face—pure power, bravery, and energy. It’s additionally a reminder that someplace, although I didn’t really feel prefer it, I had some power, too.
Satirically, as issues have gotten simpler (a little bit) with parenting, I haven’t been studying as many comics. This wasn’t a aware selection, and at any time when a graphic novel or memoir, or commerce paperback comes within the mail that appears attention-grabbing, I fortunately learn it. Recently I’ve been purposefully selecting to get again into comics studying, ordering some trades I’ve fallen behind on and choosing up some graphic novels.
I had fallen out of contact with Diana and her adventures, however once I heard Laurie Halse Anderson was writing a graphic novel a couple of younger Diana Prince, I knew I needed to learn it. I learn Surprise Lady: Tempest Tossed (popping out June 2) final week, and it was the proper ebook to mark my return to studying Surprise Lady. It’s a new form of origin story, set within the current day with a 16-year-old Diana. She finds herself in America and is confronted with studying about revenue inequality, racism, refugees, and trafficking. It’s a sensible commentary on our politics and neighborhood right now, and we even get a brand new take a look at Themyscira and Diana’s adolescence on the island. However for me, it was additionally about studying to see the power inside, working by means of doubts, and making peace with oneself. We see Diana really feel like she belongs nowhere and grow to be pissed off along with her perceived shortcomings. However we additionally see her create a makeshift household of her personal, pursue justice and work towards social justice about which she is passionate, and forge her personal approach. We see Diana really feel damaged and alone, after which see how she builds herself again up.
The ebook jogged my memory of how a lot I liked the character of Diana, and particularly with the film WW84 popping out this summer season, it obtained me much more excited for the movie. Anderson actually captured the fervour Diana has to make the world a greater place, the care she has for essentially the most weak amongst us, and the way she galvanizes individuals round her to make a distinction and care about points. However she was additionally in a position to seize the weak components of Diana, the components we don’t typically see—which was a pleasant stability.
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Studying it additionally jogged my memory how a lot I missed comics and graphic novels. Going from devouring a number of trades every week to solely a handful a 12 months is an enormous distinction. I’ve missed that. I’ve missed shedding myself within the paintings, or the admiration I’ve once I understand that the artist and the illustrator have managed to maneuver the story ahead in main methods in only some panels. For me, studying books and studying comics might be very completely different experiences, and I’m undecided I noticed what I used to be lacking till I learn Tempest Tossed.
Need to learn extra Surprise Lady posts? Take a look at some extra Diana Prince goodness right here, right here, and right here.
